Hafez · Ghazal 277 · The nightingale's only thought
فکر بلبل همه آن است که گل شد یارشگل در اندیشه که چون عشوه کند در کارش
دلربایی همه آن نیست که عاشق بکشندخواجه آن است که باشد غم خدمتکارش
جای آن است که خون موج زند در دل لعلزین تغابن که خزف می‌شکند بازارش
بلبل از فیض گل آموخت سخن، ور نه نبوداین همه قول و غزل تعبیه در منقارش
ای که در کوچه معشوقه ما می‌گذریبر حذر باش، که سر می‌شکند دیوارش
آن سفرکرده که صد قافله دل همره اوستهر کجا هست خدایا به سلامت دارش
صحبت عافیتت گرچه خوش افتاد ای دلجانب عشق عزیز است، فرومگذارش
صوفی سرخوش از این دست که کج کرد کلاهبه دو جام دگر آشفته شود دستارش
دل حافظ که به دیدار تو خوگر شده بودنازپرورد وصال است، مجو آزارش
Here the nightingale sings, the rose hesitates, and someone dear is far away on a journey. Hafez's prayer is simple: wherever they are, O God, keep them safe. If your question concerns someone you care for, hold them in that same gentle blessing. The ghazal also reminds you that true strength is care, not conquest: the real master is the one who minds the sorrow of those who serve. Do not let comfort tempt you to abandon love, for it is precious. Treat tender hearts tenderly, including your own.
The nightingale's only thought is that the rose has become his friend;
the rose is thinking how she will play coy with him.
Stealing hearts is not all about killing lovers;
the true master is one who cares about his servant's sorrow.
It is right that blood should surge in the heart of the ruby
at the injustice of broken pottery spoiling its market.
The nightingale learned speech from the bounty of the rose; otherwise
all these songs and ghazals would not have been set in its beak.
O you who pass through the lane of our beloved,
be on your guard, for its wall breaks heads.
That traveller with whom a hundred caravans of hearts have gone:
wherever he is, O God, keep him safe.
Though the company of safety has suited you well, O heart,
the side of love is precious: do not abandon it.
The tipsy Sufi who has tilted his cap like this:
with two more cups his turban will come undone.
The heart of Hafez, which had grown used to seeing you,
was raised on the delights of union: do not seek to hurt it.